#v

Mankind were intended to be happy... that government being only the means of securing freedom and happiness to the people, whenever it deviates from this end, and their freedom and happiness are in great danger of being irrevocably lost, the government is no longer entitled to their allegiance. ("The Principles of an American Whig"-1777) ↗

— Jamie Iredell

#government #happiness #patriotism #freedom

[T]he state should not impose a preferred way of life, but should leave its citizens as free as possible to choose their own values and ends, consistent with a similar liberty for others. ↗

— Michael J. Sandel

#individuals #liberalism #liberty #states #values

There is no subjection so perfect as that which keeps the appearance of freedom. ↗

— Jean-Jacques Rousseau

#freedom

It was tragic how life had sucked her down to the bones, all her spontaneity her laughter and freedom had vanished. I knew then that I didn't ever want to be like that. Whatever happened, life was something too precious to give up on so easily. ↗

— Belinda Jeffrey

#give-up #laughter #life #precious #spontaneity

Poverty is not only about income levels, but for lack of freedom that comes from physical insecurity ↗

— Jacqueline Novogratz

#insecurity #international-development #poverty #freedom

I wanted the syrupy taste of this small rebellion. And this stupid machine was denying that bit of freedom to me . . . just like everyone else. ↗

— Laura Bickle

#freedom #laine-s-fave #freedom

I know I have to give her that freedom. Otherwise I’ve just caged her, haven’t I? And what kind of love would it be, that only came from inside a box? ↗

— Jane Lovering

#freedom #love #freedom

But you who walk facing the sun, what images drawn on the earth can hold you? You who travel with the wind, what weathervane shall direct your course? What man's law shall bind you if you break your yoke but upon no man's prison door? What laws shall you fear if you dance but stumble against no man's iron chains? And who is he that shall bring you to judgment if you tear off your garment yet leave it in no man's path? People of Orphalese, you can muffle the drum, and you can loosen the strings of the lyre, but who shall command the skylark not to sing? ↗

— Kahlil Gibran

#law #living #freedom

Because I care about human beings, I want them to be free to do what is right for them. Isn't that more important than mere peace on earth? Isn't freedom, even dangerous freedom, preferable to the safest slavery, to peace bought with ignorance, cowardice, and submission? ↗

— CrimethInc.

#anarchy #freedom #liberty #slavery #speech

I thought that if I owned nothing, had nothing, was nothing, I would have nothing left to lose, and I wouldn't be scared anymore. Because my whole life I’ve been so damn scared. Scared to live because I was scared to die. But at the same I was so scared of living, so I wanted to die. Or maybe so scared of dying that I refused to live. You don't have to be afraid to fall, when you're already on the ground. You don't have to be scared to lose someone, when there's no one around to lose. ↗

— Charlotte Eriksson

#afraid-to-die #alone #freedom #homeless #journey